FATAL TROUBLE (REVERSE HAREM)

Part 56

You are just a placeholder.

You are just a distraction for them.

You are nothing to them. They are going to come back to us, sooner or later.

You are just clinging onto something which you can't have anytime.

They don't love you.

Do you trust me, Ella?
I trust you...

The words echoed relentlessly in your mind as your fingers curled tightly against your thigh. A tear escaped, sliding down your cheek. You swallowed hard, forcing back the dam of emotion threatening to burst. No. You wouldn't give them the satisfaction of seeing you break. Leah had taught you better than that.

Stand strong. Fight for what's yours. Face the situation head-on.

"Ella, please, listen to me. I'll talk to them," Winter said softly, her voice gentle yet pleading. You sat silently, staring at your lap. She continued, her tone steady, "You have to understand—they've known each other for years. They were university friends, and because their families are tied through business deals, there's been this... idea of them getting married. It's been planned for a while."

Still, you said nothing.

Winter sighed, her concern growing as she watched you. "Don't let this crush you. Talk to the boys. I'll try to reason with my friends about what happened earlier. Even their fathers will understand that forcing their sons into an unwanted marriage won't lead to anything good."

You picked at the corner of your nail, zoning out, until Winter placed a warm hand over yours. Slowly, you looked up at her, your expression blank.

"What if it's true? What they said about me?" you asked, your voice low.

Winter shook her head firmly. "No, it's not. Trust me. I know the boys—they're just letting their egos and tempers take over. Deep down, you mean something to them. They need someone to help them see past their anger, and that person is you. If you talk to them, I know they'll understand."

"I won't."

Winter's face fell. "If you don't, things will only get worse. And in the end, you'll be the one who gets hurt the most."

You exhaled sharply, blinking away the tears threatening to spill over, and gazed out at the view from the terrace. "If they love your friends—if they love you—then they should go to them. I won't hold them back like some selfish fool. Besides, it's ridiculous to think someone could be loved by seven boys. If I had to choose, I'd stick with the three who are already mine. The other four can go their own way."

Winter looked at you intently, her voice soft but firm. "Are you really going to give up that easily?"

You didn't respond immediately, but when you glanced back at her, her eyes seemed to hold a hidden story, a secret just waiting to be uncovered. Then she blinked, and the faintest smile curved her lips.

"Let me tell you something," she said quietly. "Those boys you're thinking of? They've always been the type to stop at nothing to get what they want. They make the impossible possible. But after a certain incident, they became cold—ruthless, even. That side of them became their armor. but..."

Your eyes widened slightly as you asked eagerly, "But what?"

Winter's smile softened. "But I see glimpses of who they used to be when they're around you. Tonight, they had a confidential meeting scheduled with some very important people—a meeting they never would have canceled for anyone. And yet, they did."